Math Teacher David Benke is Hero in Littleton School Shooting

Littleton, Colorado Feb 24 (THAINDIAN NEWS) According to the officers and witnesses who were at the Deer Creek Middle School on Tuesday Feb 23, 2010, seventh grade Math teacher David Benke is a hero. Benke, a 6′5” former basketball player and marathon runner tackled a lone gunman who had opened fire on students at the school. Two students were injured and taken to the hospital.

A student, Steven Seagraves was standing near the two injured students when a man walked up and asked them “Do you guys go to this school?” When they answered ,”Yes,” he shot them, Steven told reporters. It was at that moment that Benke ran up and tackled the gunman, possibly saving the lives of many students and faculty. “He was trying to rack another round. He couldn’t get another round in before I got to him so I grabbed him,” he said. A Facebook page in honor of Benke’s heroics, has been formed, and is asking for prayers for Regan and Matt. Those who wish can join it here.

The alleged shooter, Bruco Strong Eagle Eastwood,32 who may have been mentally disturbed, is due in court today for the shooting of the students, Reagan Weber, a 7th grader, who has been released, and Matt Thieu, who is reportedly in critical condition. He is expected to live, according to reports.

The shooting occurred just three miles from the sight of the fateful Columbine High School massacre of 1999. This time, however, the gunman was alone, and was not a current student, although he had attended the school long ago. It is yet unclear why this man committed this act.